The victory means USA are still in with a chance of making the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as they prepare to face Argentina on Wednesday knowing a win will all but see them through. Aaron Russell proved to be an efficient attacking weapon for USA with 15 while Russia’s Maxim Mikhaylov led all scorers with 18.
USA were clearly fired up after their first loss of the tournament to Poland a day earlier, and that had an effect on court as they took a 8-3 lead at the first technical timeout. Russia clawed their way back following a successful challenge and trailed by one at 21-20 but a David Lee spike wrapped things up for the United States as they took the early lead.
Russia came alive in the second with a Sergey Tetyukhin spike sending them to a 7-5 lead. USA drew level on 9-all but Russia kicked on to take a narrow lead at the second technical timeout on 16-15. The Americans then took the lead for the first time in the match on 20-19. A successful challenge from USA and a block error from Russia brought up match point for the world No.5 and they needed just two chances to take the set, a Taylor Sander block making it 2-0.
It was all USA at the beginning of the third as they surged to a quick 4-1 lead having found a good rhythm. Russia began to go into their shell as the American confidence grew on attack. The European champions looked demoralised as they went 14-7 down on the back of a Sander ace, and USA continued to power on to match point at 24-17 before Russell spiked home the win.
